Although xenons generally last much longer than halogen bulbs, their light output can decrease over time, so eventually they won’t emit enough light to be safe for night use. Some manufacturers therefore recommend replacing xenon bulbs every three years.

While the brightness and range of the light is impressive, xenon bulbs can dazzle other drivers and create glare. LED bulbs can be more expensive than other car bulb types, but that’s off-set with the thousands of hours of trouble-free operation you can expect. LED bulbs are great for producing a light that is close to that of daylight and they offer less glare than other bulbs which means that they do not dazzle oncoming drivers. Light bulbs for automobiles are made in several standardized series. Bulbs used for headlamps, turn signals and brake lamps may be required to comply with international and national regulations governing the types of lamps used. Other automotive lighting applications such as auxiliary lamps or interior lighting may not be regulated, but common types are used by many automotive manufacturers.which covers light sources for high-intensity discharge headlamps. Some UN-approved bulb types [4] are also permitted by some other regulations, such as those of the United States or of Japan, though Japan has begun supplanting the former Japanese national regulations with the international UN regulations.

More light allows to see farther and therefore react sooner. Signs, obstacles and hazards can be recognised sooner These products do not have ECE approval and must not be used on public roads in any exterior application. Public roads use leads to cancellation of operating license and loss of insurance coverage. Several countries forbid sale and use of these products.UN Regulation 37 covers motor vehicle filament lamps. These are categorized in three groups: those without general restriction that can be used in any application, those acceptable only for signalling lights (not for road illumination lamps), and those no longer allowable as light sources for new type approvals but still permitted for production as replacement parts. Halogen bulbs use a tungsten filament and a mix of inert gases, usually nitrogen and argon, to create light. Despite their similarities, each of these bulb types is slightly different. They differ in number of filaments, nominal power, and base type. There is a German national regulation for vehicle bulbs, now superseded by international ECE regulations. Bulbs according to the old German regulation are still manufactured. The German regulation is contained in §22a, Subsection 1, No. 18 of the Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO, Road Traffic Approval Regulation). Per the Fahrzeugteileverordnung (FzTV, Vehicle Parts Regulation), such light bulbs must bear an approval mark consisting of a sine wave and the letter 'K'. The technical requirements themselves are established by standards produced by DIN.

The light produced is similar in brightness to that of a xenon bulb, and produce very little heat so they’re more efficient and therefore cheaper to run. Xenon headlights are a popular choice for luxury cars, using metals and heat gases to create a bright blue or white glow. You can convert your regular halogen bulb to xenon with a special kit, but these are not road legal in the UK.

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LED or light emitting diodes are now replacing xenons on new cars, because they are more energy efficient, last longer and allow car makers to create signature light shapes. The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (ECE Regulations) develops and maintains international-consensus UN Regulations on light sources acceptable for use in lamps on vehicles and trailers type-approved for use in countries that recognise the UN Regulations. These include Regulation 37, [1] which contains specifications for filament lamps, and Regulation 99 and its addenda [2] [3]

You’ll be able to spot these headlights easily on the road, thanks to their ice white/blue tint and extreme brightness. On a serious note, 55 watt HID systems are even worse than any theoretical damage resulting from a 65-watt halogen bulb being used in place of a 55-watt halogen bulb. The beam pattern cannot be fixed by re-aiming. Plus, the H18 was designed as a near-direct replacement for OEMs. Thermals are discussed, briefly, in this leaflet: The H17 and H18 bulbs are smaller, more powerful halogen bulbs, while the H8, H9 and H11 are self-sealing bulbs that don’t have to sit inside a watertight unit, so they’re often used as foglights. Some bulbs have only one filament, but others have two. Also known as dual filament bulbs, these are used to power both the main and dipped beam of your headlights. One filament is dedicated to each purpose. This can be easier for drivers, as you only have one headlight bulb. Cars that use single filament need one bulb for the main and another for the dipped.QUARTZ GLASS UV FILTER – this bulb features a quartz glass UV filter, designed to cast a cleaner light beam from your vehicle and protect the headlight glass from damage due to direct light exposure. The addition of a blue coating to the bulb will turn the colour of the light to be more white. The downside to this is a small reduction in light intensity.